Continuous flow reactor for viral inactivation

Abstract

A continuous flow reactor having a plurality of interwoven flow paths in fluid communication to form a single continuous flow reactor tube having a single flow path.

We claim: 
     
       1. A continuous flow reactor comprising:
 a plurality of interwoven flow paths in fluid communication to form a single continuous flow reactor tube having a single flow path. 
 
     
     
       2. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of interwoven flow paths comprises a plurality of turns that are in different, non-parallel planes. 
     
     
       3. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of turns includes at least a first pattern and a second pattern different from the first pattern, wherein the first pattern includes a predetermined number of turns, and the second pattern includes a predetermined number of turns, and wherein the predetermined number of turns in the first pattern is same or different from the predetermined number of turns in the second pattern. 
     
     
       4. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of turns includes a repeated pattern of turns. 
     
     
       5. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 4 , wherein the pattern of turns is repeated after 8 bends. 
     
     
       6. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of turns includes an angle of from about 100° to about 200°. 
     
     
       7. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of turns includes an angle of from about 135° to about 140°. 
     
     
       8. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of turns follows a three-dimensional path that includes flow direction changes at approximately 45°, at a turn center. 
     
     
       9. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interwoven flow paths is made of at least one of flexible and memory alloy. 
     
     
       10. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interwoven flow paths includes from about 19.6 to about 39.2 turns per 1 m 3 . 
     
     
       11. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interwoven flow paths includes internals. 
     
     
       12. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interwoven flow paths comprises a weft-like pattern and a warp-like pattern. 
     
     
       13. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interwoven flow paths comprises a plurality of bends each bend being rotated, with respect to one another, at an angle around a longitudinal axis of the plurality of interwoven flow paths. 
     
     
       14. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 13 , wherein the angle around the longitudinal axis of the interwoven flow path is from about 25 degrees to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
       15. A continuous flow reactor comprising:
 a plurality of interwoven flow paths, wherein at least one flow path is on a single longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of turns, wherein at least two of the plurality of turns are in different, non-parallel planes. 
 
     
     
       16. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of turns includes a first pattern that is repeated a predetermined number of times. 
     
     
       17. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of turns includes at least a first pattern and a second pattern different from the first pattern, wherein the first pattern includes a predetermined number of turns, and the second pattern includes a predetermined number of turns, and wherein the predetermined number of turns in the first pattern is same or different from the predetermined number of turns in the second pattern. 
     
     
       18. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of turns is separated from one another by a bend having an angle smaller than an angle of the plurality of turns. 
     
     
       19. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 18 , wherein each of the bends includes an angle of less than about 135° and wherein each of the plurality of turns includes an angle of from about 135° to about 140°. 
     
     
       20. The continuous flow reactor of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of interwoven flow paths comprises four flow paths interwoven with one another. 
     
     
       21. A method of viral inactivation in a continuous flow reactor comprising:
 introducing a process stream and at least one virus inactivating compound or solution into a continuous flow reactor at a flow rate having a Reynolds number of from about 187 to about 333 and a Dean Number of from about 105 to about 212; and 
 contacting the process stream with the at least one virus inactivating compound or solution in the continuous flow reactor; 
 wherein the continuous flow reactor comprises: 
 (i) a plurality of interwoven flow paths in fluid communication to form a single continuous flow reactor tube having a single flow path; and/or 
 (ii) a plurality of interwoven flow paths, wherein at least one flow path is on a single longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of turns, wherein at least two of the plurality of turns are in different, non-parallel planes.